The attempts by the EU to reduce these different levels of development.
The differences in development across the
European Union can be considered to be UNSUSTAINABLE because they
promote too much growth and possible environmental problems in the CORE,
whilst resentment of the wealth of the core and out migration can happen
from the periphery.
The EU has tried to deal with these inequalities in a number
of ways; |
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1.
The Common Agricultural Policy
– this was a system of subsidies or money paid to farmers, often the
poorest people within the EU.
The goals of the CAP were to;
·
Guarantee and maintain agricultural employment and wages
·
Guarantee food production
·
Stabilise food prices This system led to massive over production of
goods and damaging impacts on the environment but did produce reliable
food supplies.
It has been criticised because it consumes a huge amount of
the EU’s budget without contributing much to the economy.
It has been changed to promote more environmentally friendly
farming and to reduce production to sustainable levels.
2.
The European Investment Bank
– This is the
bank of the EU
that provides finance and expertise for sustainable investment projects
in Europe and beyond. It is owned by the EU Member States and tries to
support EU policy objectives. It is the largest multilateral lender and
borrower in the world. It has invested €9 billion into Innovation up to
2012 and promised an extra €60bn
between 2013-2015 to promote sustainable growth and jobs to try and
finish the economic crisis across the EU. They also invested in 200,000
Small and Medium Enterprises across the EU in 2012.
3.
Urban
II Fund
Cities play a major developmental role in the EU, and almost 80 % of
the European Community's citizens today live in cities. Many of these
cities succeed, but others are faced with social and economic problems.
Various strategies have been tried to combat these problems
and Urban II is one of these.
It is paid for by the Commission and the Member States. For
2000-06, the Community's contribution to the initiative amounts to EUR
730 million, exclusively from the ERDF (European Regional Development
Fund), for a total investment of EUR 1.6 billion, covering a population
of some 2.2 million. To qualify areas
must meet at least three of the following conditions:
·
a low level of economic activity and a specific need for conversion due
to local economic and social difficulties;
·
a high level of long-term unemployment, poverty and exclusion;
·
a low level of education, significant skills deficiencies and high
drop-out-rates from school;
·
a high number of immigrants, ethnic and minority groups, or refugees;
·
a high level of criminality and delinquency;
·
precarious demographic trends;
·
a particularly degraded environment. (source –
europa.eu)
Examples of how this funding is used in Newcastle are listed below.
4.
Structural Funds
The Structural Funds
are a way for the
European Union (EU)
to
narrow the
gaps in development
among regions and Member States.
The structural funds are therefore very important for the EU in trying
to help all countries have reasonably even social and economic
opportunities.
For the period 2007-2013, the budget allocated to regional policy
amounts to around € 348 billion, comprising € 278 billion for the
Structural Funds and € 70 billion for the Cohesion Fund. This represents
35% of the Community budget and is the second largest budget item.
European Union funding in Newcastle
European funding in Newcastle comes from three different places:
1.
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),
supports the growth of a modern, innovative and sustainable economy. It
aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial culture, grow the business base
and exploit the science, new and renewable energy technology and
innovation potential across the city and the region.
2.
European Social Fund (ESF)
aims to help people fulfill their potential by giving them better skills
and better job prospects.
3.
European Transnational Programmes
support European Co-operation between countries
How do we use European Funding in Newcastle?
In Newcastle public, private, voluntary and community groups use
European funding to co-fund different types of capital and revenue
projects:
Some past and current projects in Newcastle, supported by the European
Union
1.
Newcastle Enterprise Package
is a programme to get new businesses started in Newcastle.
It has a
£3M budget from the EU to support
the development, growth and sustainability of enterprise throughout
Newcastle.
2.
The Toffee Factory
– a creative work space in the Ouseburn valley, home to companies and
with excellent transport links.
Funded by the local council and the European Union.
3.
The Beacon
(Centre West and Groundwork) – funded to provide office space and
meeting facilities in Newcastle’s west end
4.
Newcastle
Science City
- Newcastle was designated as one of six UK Science Cities in 2005 in
recognition of the world-class research being undertaken by its
universities and the potential of its science industry base. The city
has three main areas of excellence: Ageing & Health, Sustainability and
Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine. Each area has a number of locations
dispersed across the city.
This is a
partnership between Newcastle University, Newcastle City Council and the
European Regional Development Fund (who put in £2.3 million).
It includes the centre for life and Science Central, which
will be a huge development area close to St James Park.
5.
The Millennium Bridge – part funded by ERDF who put in £3million,
The Millennium Commission put in £9.8m together with contributions from
English Partnerships, East Gateshead Single Regeneration Budget and
Gateshead Council.
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Think about it |
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